Reading and QPR meet today all too aware of the potentially crippling cost of their relegation from the Premier League

RELEGATION from the Premier League hurts more than just pride. This year is
guaranteed to cause the greatest financial shortfall in the history of
English football with a calculated loss to the Championship-destined clubs
of £50m. Reading play QPR today knowing that if either side loses, they will
go down.

The new £5bn deal to televise the Premier League nationally and globally next
season has upped the financial stakes out of all proportion and will make
life among English football’s elite next season the most lucrative place to
be. Even those unfortunate teams relegated at the end of 2013-14 will pick
up £60m, which is approximately what Manchester City earned for winning last
year’s title. For Reading and QPR that could be of scant consolation.

“The impact of relegation from the Premier League will be harder than it’s
ever been this season,” said Adam Bull, the Deloitte Sports Business Group’s